If width is your main constraint, compare capsule machines with slim manual espresso machines. Nespresso lists the Essenza Mini as 8,4 cm wide, while De’Longhi gives the Dedica Style’s width as 15 cm. Then choose according to the drinks you enjoy and the maintenance you’re happy to do. If you want to make several cups of filter coffee, a small filter coffee maker meets a different need from an espresso machine. In all cases, measure the depth too, and allow enough room to fill and clean the machine.
If you mostly drink espressos or lungos, start by measuring the available width. Nespresso lists the Essenza Mini at 8,4 cm wide, while De’Longhi gives the Dedica Style’s width as 15 cm. These figures don’t replace checking the depth and access to the water tank.
How often you make cappuccinos will affect your choice. A manual steam wand means preparing the milk and cleaning the wand, while a milk system has its own parts to maintain. Nespresso says the milk jug for its Lattissima One is dishwasher-safe.
If you serve several cups at once rather than making individual espressos, check the capacity of a filter coffee maker. Philips describes its HD7435/20 as a compact model that makes 2 to 7 cups.
Start with the space you can actually use and the kind of coffee you usually drink. Then consider how easy the parts are to clean and how much noise the machine makes during the stages that matter to you.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the width and depth, and the height beneath any cupboards. Check how to remove the water tank and trays, and where you can put the parts while cleaning. | I need to be able to fit the machine without blocking access for filling it or removing parts. |
| Drinks | Check the cup sizes supported by the exact model: espresso, lungo or filter coffee. For milk-based drinks, check whether it has a manual steam wand or an integrated milk system. | A quick espresso doesn’t meet the same need as several cups of filter coffee. If I often drink cappuccino, milk preparation matters too. |
| Maintenance | Check which parts need emptying or washing after use, and follow the model’s instructions for descaling. Philips recommends regular descaling for its coffee makers. | I’d rather know what I need to do after each coffee before choosing between a portafilter, filter, capsules and a grinder. |
| Capacity and consumables | Compare the water tank and waste container capacity with how much coffee you drink. For aluminium or plastic capsules, follow the sorting guidance from ADEME in France. | If I make several coffees a day, I want to know how often I’ll need to refill, empty and store the consumables. |
| Noise and everyday use | When comparing two models, look for independent tests that cover the same stages, such as grinding, brewing, rinsing or steaming. Also check the warranty and parts availability for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen or early in the morning, the noise the machine makes while I’m preparing coffee can matter as much as its width. |
A narrow machine may take up more depth. Nespresso lists the Essenza Mini as 33 cm deep; you’ll also need to make sure you can reach the removable parts.
Mark out the machine’s footprint on your worktop with masking tape, then check that you can open it and remove its parts before buying.
An Essenza Mini, designed for espresso and lungo, may not suit your preference for larger cups or milk-based drinks. Nespresso lists Vertuo machines separately, with several cup sizes, and its Lattissima range, which includes milk systems.
Make a note of the drinks you usually prepare, then check the cup sizes and accessories needed for the specific model you’re considering.
Removing a filter and its used grounds, emptying a capsule container and cleaning a steam wand all involve different tasks. Philips also recommends regular descaling for its coffee makers.
Check the instructions for the exact model to find out which parts need cleaning, how to descale it and how much room you’ll need to handle the parts.
A figure recorded during brewing may not tell you how noisy the machine is when grinding, rinsing or steaming. A comparison is only useful if the stages and measurement conditions are comparable.
If you’ll use the machine early in the morning or in an open-plan kitchen, look for a test that names the exact model and explains its method. You could also ask for a demonstration.
These ranges show different ways of making coffee. Their inclusion here doesn’t indicate how noisy or reliable any particular model is.
The Original range includes the Essenza Mini for espresso and lungo, while Vertuo offers other cup sizes.
The Dedica Style is an example of a slim manual espresso machine, while Magnifica Start is a range of automatic bean-to-cup machines.
Philips describes the HD7435/20 filter coffee maker as a compact model that makes 2 to 7 cups.
This selection includes capsule machines, slim espresso machines and a small filter coffee maker. Compare their size with the drinks you usually make, then check the full dimensions and access to removable parts for each model.
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An option to consider if you’d like to explore Vertuo cup sizes. The product listing gives the water tank capacity as 0,6 L. Check which sizes are compatible with the ENV90.B, as well as the depth and access to the tank on your worktop.
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Worth considering if you mostly drink espressos or lungos and have limited worktop width. The product listing gives the power as 1200 W and the water tank capacity as 0,6 L. Also check the available depth and the room needed to remove the tank and empty the capsules.
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Worth considering if you prefer making espresso with a semi-automatic machine. The product listing mentions temperature control and hot or cold drinks. Allow room to use the machine, and check the instructions for maintenance details.
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Another espresso machine to consider when space is limited. Before choosing it, check the full dimensions, the room needed to use it and the maintenance instructions for the EM160E model.
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A filter coffee option for making a small amount of coffee rather than several cups at once. Check that the 300 ml capacity suits your needs and that you can reach the filter to clean it.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then check how much room you’ll need to fill the water tank and remove parts for emptying or cleaning. Width alone can be misleading: Nespresso lists the Essenza Mini as 8,4 cm wide, but also 33 cm deep.
A manual steam-wand espresso machine is one option if you’re happy to prepare the milk and clean the wand after use. If you’d prefer an integrated milk system, check the drinks it offers and how to maintain its parts for the exact model. Nespresso says the milk jug for the Lattissima One is dishwasher-safe.
Yes. Descaling is part of regular maintenance, and Philips recommends doing it regularly for its coffee makers. Check your model’s instructions to find out which method and products to use rather than following instructions intended for a different model.
According to ADEME, aluminium or plastic coffee capsules should go in the recycling bin, bag or container for paper and packaging in France. Check what your capsules are made of and follow the instructions for your local collection service.